IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 280 

Honoring the House music genre and its ‘‘Godfather’’, the late Frankie 

Knuckles of Chicago, Illinois, for valuable and longstanding contributions 

to the culture of the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 21, 2015 

Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, and Mr. 

RUSH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the House music genre and its ‘‘Godfather’’, the 

late Frankie Knuckles of Chicago, Illinois, for valuable 

and longstanding contributions to the culture of the 

United States. 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles was a world-class entertainer who 

revolutionized dance music around the globe; 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles played a pivotal role in the creation and evolution of the House music genre, which has 

become a staple of dance clubs throughout the world; 

Whereas, for over 30 years, Frankie Knuckles packed the 

world’s dance floors with his unique musical style; 

Whereas one of Frankie Knuckles’ first albums included 

‘‘The Whistle Song’’ which is perhaps most memorable as 


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the soundtrack for a Lipton iced tea commercial in the 

mid-1990s; 

Whereas, as a producer and remixer, Frankie Knuckles lent 

his talents to some of R&B and pop music’s elite, including artists such as Mary J. Blige, the Pet Shop Boys, 

Ricky Martin, Lisa Stansfield, Yoko Ono, Whitney Houston, Sounds of Blackness, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Michael Bolton, Toni 

Braxton, and Madonna; 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles’ production and mixing career 

was officially recognized by the music industry in 1998 

when The National Academy of Recording Arts and 

Sciences presented him with the first ever Grammy for 

‘‘Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical’’; 

Whereas, in 2001, Definity Records released the single ‘‘Keep 

on Movin’’ by Frankie Knuckles featuring vocalist Nicki 

Richards; 

Whereas the song ‘‘Keep on Movin’’ opened Frankie Knuckles’ mix album ‘‘Motivation’’ and was the beginning of a 

collaboration between Frankie Knuckles and Nicki Richards that culminated with the release of his album ‘‘A 

New Reality’’ about which Billboard Magazine wrote 

‘‘Knuckles strings together an inspirational and spiritual 

collection of gospel-infused club songs’’; 

Whereas ‘‘A New Reality’’ was released in April 2004 in the 

United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and 

Japan simultaneously, and continues to receive media attention, and the album’s first single ‘‘Bac N da Day’’, 

was Frankie Knuckles’ first collaboration in 20 years 

with longtime friend, House music legend, and co-writer 

Jamie Principle; 


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Whereas, on August 25, 2004, the Mayor of Chicago proclaimed the date ‘‘Frankie Knuckles Day’’ and designated a street ‘‘Frankie Knuckles Way’’; 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles served as a Governor and Trustee 

for the New York City Chapter of The National Academy 

of Recording Arts and Sciences; 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles continued to use his celebrity to 

provide entertainment for numerous charities, and has 

lent his services to many organizations, including Meals 

on Wheels, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the Pediatric AIDS 

foundation, and the Harvey Milk School; 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles established the Warehouse nightclub at 206 South Jefferson in 1977 providing a 

transitioning portal for the Disco dance music genre and 

a music rebirth extracted from the name this extremely 

popular venue henceforth and forevermore designated as 

‘‘House Music’’; 

Whereas Frankie served as an inspiration to a legion of DJs 

worldwide including Chicago DJs Wayne Williams, The 

Chosen Few, Farley Keith Williams aka Farley 

Jackmaster Funk and the Hotmix 5, Jesse Saunders, 

Steve Silk Hurley, Jamie Principal, Andre Hatchett, 

Marshall Jefferson, Chip E, and many others as pioneering disciples of a new and emerging genre who 

helped to take House music to international acclaim; 

Whereas Frankie Knuckles is an American music icon, inspiration to many, and a global music phenomenon; and 

Whereas we support the designation of July 2015 as ‘‘House 

Music Heritage Month’’ honoring the contributions of the 

House music genre and its ‘‘Godfather’’, Frankie KnuckVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:46 May 21, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR280.IH HR280

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les, for their valuable and longstanding contributions to 

the culture of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) applauds the contributions made by the 

3 House music genre and artists such as Frankie 

4 Knuckles to the culture of the United States; 

5 (2) supports the designation of a national day 

6 of recognition for Chicago House music pioneer 

7 Frankie Knuckles; 

8 (3) recommits itself to ensuring that musical 

9 artists such as Frankie Knuckles receive fair protec10 tion under the copyright laws of the United States; 

11 (4) endeavors to support the protection of 

12 House music artists’ content globally; and 

13 (5) directs the Clerk of the House of Represent14 atives to transmit enrolled copies of this resolution 

15 to Frankie Knuckles, or his assignee. 

Æ 


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